Pyogenic Granuloma

General Information
Pyogenic Granuloma is a common skin growth characterized by small, red, papules, that can bleed easily often following trauma. The lesion grows rapidly in a period of a few weeks to an average size of around a 1 cm. Pyogenic granulomas are benign growths often occurring on the hands, arms or face. They are most often seen in children and pregnant women (around 5%). When they occur on pregnant women, they are usually called “Pregnancy tumors” or granuloma gravidarum. Treatment options a healthcare provider may suggest include scraping and burning the lesion, silver nitrate solution, topical imiquimod cream, laser treatment, freezing with liquid nitrogen or surgical removal.

Epidemiology
Relatively common, occurs in 0.5% of skin nodules in children and 5% of pregnancies in United States

Etiology
Unknown; trauma, hormonal influences, Bartonella species seropositivity, viral oncogenes, underlying microscopic arteriovenous malformations, production of angiogenic factors, and cytogenetic clonal deletion abnormalities have all been implicated.

Pathogenesis
A solitary glistening red papule or nodule that is prone to bleeding and ulceration that evolves over a period of a week.

Clinical
Bright red, friable polypoid papule or nodule ranging an average size is 6.5 mm bleeding, erosion, ulceration, and crusting.

Histology
Granulation tissue, numerous capillaries and venules with plump endothelial cells arrayed radially toward the skin surface amidst an edematous stroma containing a mixed.

Bibliography
1. “Pyogenic Granuloma” (Online). November 2006. http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic368.htm (visited: April 2, 2008) 2. “Pyogenic Granuloma” (Online).http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/pyogenic_granuloma.html (visited: April 2, 2008

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 Pyogenic Granuloma